Malaysia’s Bishop Francis considers cardinalate appointment a work of ‘enculturation of faith’

A Malaysian bishop who is set to be elevated to the cardinalate next month said that his appointment is a vital decision for Pope Francis who wants to implant the Catholic faith in every culture, particularly in a diverse region such as Asia.

“He speaks about implanting the faith in every culture, he speaks about enculturation of the faith, he speaks about the evangelization of cultures, and he focuses on that rather than a big part of whatever is happening in Rome,” said Penang Bishop and Cardinal-Designate Sebastian Francis in an interview with Crux.

Bishop Francis said the Holy Father wants him to get down to the ground level instead of going to Rome or the Vatican.

“If he calls upon us to help in different dicasteries, we will have to respond accordingly, but more importantly is to be this presence wherever the cardinal is based and draw the world, in a way,” he explained.

He noted that his work in Malaysia is particularly important for a cardinal since his country is considered “a potpourri of Asia” that welcomes many migrants and refugees from all over the continent.

According to him: “We shift from language to language, from culture to culture, from diet to diet, with all these spans of people, including (from) the West, on a daily basis, so it makes us quite universal.”

Bishop Francis also said that even though there is a lot of excitement surrounding a cardinal’s appointment, especially in a country where Catholics are a minority, the faithful must never forget the serious responsibilities that come with it.

“All bishops should have their sleeves rolled up and ready to be called upon, whether you are expecting it or not expecting it, to help the pope to govern the universal Church,” he said.

The cardinal designate also noted that the pope’s decision to elevate non-European cardinals is not an attempt to put balance between Europe and the rest of the world, but a journey “going back to our roots.”

Bishop Francis also stated that he is looking forward to Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia, which he hopes will be a helpful step in forging stronger bonds between China, Russia, and the rest of Asia because of its strategic position. 

“I’m sure he will be inspired by the Holy Spirit to say the right things respecting all of the things concerned, respecting the role of Mongolia as an independent nation, respecting their proximity to China and Russia, two big powers,” he said.

Bishop Francis and 20 others will be elevated to the cardinalate during the consistory on September 30, 2023. He is one of the two Asians included in this batch, alongside Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan. - Luke Godoy